Jean Antonin Mercié (French, 1845-1916): A patinated bronze figure of 'David Vainqueur De Goliath'


the figure holding a sword, the head of Goliath at his feet, raised on a circular decorated base, signed A. Mercié, inscribed F. BARBEDIENNE, Fondeur Paris and with circular A. Collas reduction mechanique pastille, the underside of the base numbered 109, 109cm high
|Mercié was born in Toulouse. He worked in Jouffroy's studio and made his debut at the Salon in 1868. He won the Grand Prix de Rome that same year for his work 'Theseuse vainqueur du Minotaure' and this enabled him to study in Rome where he stayed for four years. It was during this time that he produced two of his most famous works 'Gloria Victus' and 'David with the Head of Goliath', the latter work was very much influenced by Donatello's 'David' as well as Cellini's 'Perseus with the Head of Medusa'. He won a first class medal for the work when it was exhibited at the Salon of 1872.